Fans had the same reaction to the Los Angeles Angeles’ first pick in the 2025 MLB Draft on Sunday.
The Angels were picking No. 2 overall and selected pitcher Tyler Bremner out of UCSB. Bremner was viewed as a high first-round pick, but few people saw him going as high as No. 2. They all reacted with surprise, though some thought the pick followed a formula for Angels GM Perry Minasian.
Bremner has a huge fastball, but there’s a reason that he wasn’t mocked this high.
— Benjamin Royer (@thebenroyer) July 13, 2025
There just isn’t a second high quality off-speed pitch — yet — to round out an arsenal. Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s called up really quickly.
Stunner. The Angels select Tyler Bremner from UC Santa Barbara.
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) July 13, 2025
He was not really on the radar for this early of a selection.
Follows similar pattern of collegiate players.
I am the high man on Bremner and this is still shocking.
— Jeffmlbdraft (@jeffMLBdraft) July 13, 2025
Even Bremner’s family displayed complete surprise upon learning that he had been picked No. 2 overall.
Tyler Bremner and his family's reaction to being drafted No. 2 overall by the Angels in the MLB draft ❤️ pic.twitter.com/cDlfquPkHb
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 13, 2025
Bremner is listed at 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds. The right-handed pitcher went 21-9 with a 3.58 ERA and 295 strikeouts over 221.1 career innings at UCSB. He is regarded as having a good fastball and changeup, but needs work developing his slider.
The Angels under Minasian have had success drafting college players highly and advancing them to the major leagues quickly. They have done that with Reid Detmers (2020), Sam Bachman (2021), Zach Neto (2022), Nolan Schanuel (2023) and Christian Moore (2024), who were all first-round picks by the team. They also advanced later-round picks Ben Joyce (3rd round/2022) and Chase Silseth (11th round/2021) quickly.
Bremner could be in position to advance through the Angels’ minor-league system quickly to help the big club.
